Thanks to a West Coast whiskey associate, I was able to obtain a sample of Wild Turkey Beyond Duplication, more specifically, a 1989 export bottle of Beyond Duplication (gold foil top). One of the best things about the whiskey enthusiast community is sharing. And sharing old, dusty Wild Turkey … well, that’s priceless.
Brief history lesson: Beyond Duplication was the first of several twelve-year special releases by Austin, Nichols/Wild Turkey, beginning in the early 1980s. Sometime in the mid 1980s, Beyond Duplication was replaced with the now famous and highly sought-after “Cheesy Gold Foil” (a.k.a. “CGF”) twelve-year label. A few years down the road in the mid-1990s, CGF was eventually replaced by the “Split Label” twelve-year, which would be the last of the special twelve-year releases distributed in the United States.
The export market, however, was different. Beyond Duplication continued to be released in foreign countries (primarily Japan) while CGF was in regular U.S. distribution. A few years down the road, CGF continued to be released overseas while the “Split Label” was in domestic production. Additionally, the export market had the privilege of seeing twelve-year Wild Turkey 101 releases all the way up until the early 2010s.
It can become rather confusing, but the important thing to know is this: Any twelve-year Wild Turkey 101 released in any market from the early 1980s to the early 2010s is a top-quality pour – period. Some are better than others (the general rule is the earlier the release, the better), but again – all are top-quality pours.
Wild Turkey Beyond Duplication (1989 export) – twelve-year KY straight bourbon whiskey at 101 proof – selected from “600 special barrels” – bottled by the Austin, Nichols Distilling Company, Lawrenceburg, KY
Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …
Color: dark rosy copper
Nose: (I could literally nose this all day) immediate tobacco, musty oak, leather, spicy vanilla, sweet maple syrup, blood orange, herbal tea, floral perfume, musk
Taste: (unique, light oiliness) maple syrup, caramel/candy apple, pronounced rye spice (a liquid bouquet of floral/herbal notes), charred vanilla, antique leather, sweet musty oak
Finish: initially, slight warmth, then … BOOM! – punchy & strong, long in duration with slowly diminishing oak, cinnamon, pepper, rich vanilla
Overall: Well, it really doesn’t get much better than this – fantastically tasty, complicated, and well balanced. I’m sure there are a few other American whiskeys out there that could rise to the challenge, but the list is most definitely short.
As for how export Wild Turkey Beyond Duplication compares to the legendary Wild Turkey “Cheesy Gold Foil” – well, they’re almost indistinguishable in profile. In fact, I believe the late 1980’s export Beyond Duplication is the same exact same bourbon as the late 1980’s American CGF. It’s just two different labels. I don’t have hard evidence for this, but I honestly don’t see why Wild Turkey would have two entirely different stocks of twelve-year KSBW bottled within the same timeframe.
Rating: 5/5 🦃